Device for marking fin material as it is being formed on a fin machine

ABSTRACT

A device is provided for marking fin material as it is formed on a fin forming machine. Specifically, an air actuated device is connected to the machine cycle count. Each complete cycle of the fin forming machine is counted, and when the correct numbers of cycles have been met, the air switch allows the air cylinder to actuate and drive the indenter into the fin material and then withdraw the indenter to complete the marking process. The fin marking process is done without interruption to the fin forming cycle, and without damage to the fin material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fin manufacturing and, more particularly, to a device for marking fin material when the proper amount of material has met the desired length or fin count.

Often it is necessary to cool a working fluid, and it is known for this purpose to use a fin material for heat exchange. The working fluid to be cooled, which may for example be water or oil, flows across the fins, whilst the coolant passes around and between the fins, the working fluid giving up its latent heat to the fin and thus to the coolant.

Various types of apparatus are known in the art for forming, crimping, folding, perforating, and otherwise processing, sheet or strip material, such as sheet metal. One such apparatus is a rolling fin machine, which utilizes a gear mesh operation to form fin as the fin material passes between the gears. Another type is the reciprocating press fin machine, such as the Robinson fin machine. Heat transfer devices, such as heat sinks and heat exchangers, widely used for absorptive thermal protection, are made of various types of corrugated fin material to allow energy transfer during passage of air and/or fluid through the device. Multiple fin segments of different configuration may be provided to direct the flow through the devices.

The typical fin machine generally works by feeding the continuous length of strip stock between at least one pair of form rollers having interleaved teeth to bend the strip and form corrugations (fins) in the stock. As the fin is forming, it is desirable to be able to insure the proper fin count and the proper length for each piece of fin.

The current means of achieving this is to manually lay a template on top of the fin material being produced to determine the length and fin count of the part. However, the template may become stretched or compressed, introducing chances for error in length and fin count of fin. Since fin manufacture often depends on very tight tolerances for optimal performance of the fin, errors and variations in measurements can be quite costly.

It is seen then that there exists a need for a device that can accurately indicate the fin count and fin length of fin material, as well as to mark the fin material when the proper amount of material has met the desired length and/or fin count.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This need is met by the fin marking system according to the present invention, wherein the device counts each complete cycle of the fin forming machine.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an air actuated device is connected to the machine cycle count. Each complete cycle of the fin forming machine is counted, and when the correct numbers of cycles have been met, the air switch allows the air cylinder to actuate and drive the indenter into the fin material and then withdraw the indenter to complete the marking process. The fin marking process is done without interruption to the fin forming cycle, and without damage to the fin material.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fin material marking device. It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a device which can accurately insure proper fin count and proper fin length for each piece of fin. Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a device, wherein the fin marking process is accomplished without interruption to the fin forming cycle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the fin marking system of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 illustrates the fin marking system of the present invention, with particular application on a fin forming machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides for a fin marking system that can be used to mark fin material when the proper amount of material has met the desired length and/or fin count of the material. FIG. 1 illustrates the fin marking system 10 of the present invention, for marking fin material 12 uncoiling in association with a fin machine 14. The fin machine 14 generally works by feeding the continuous length of strip stock 12 between at least one pair of form rollers 15 having interleaved teeth 17 to bend the strip and form corrugations (fins) 19 in the stock. As the fin is forming, it is desirable to be able to insure the proper fin count and the proper length for each piece of fin.

Continuing with FIG. 1 and referring also to FIG. 2, it is standard in the fin industry for all fin forming machines to have accessible holes for attaching horizontal cutters. Horizontal cutters are used only occasionally for cutting the fin stock when needed. The decision to use a cutter versus the indenter is normally based on the length or number of fins needed to form the finished product. Longer fin material or a greater number of fins per inch can increase the chance of making a mistake in the cutting location, due to the elasticity of the finished product. Also, the cutter cannot be used on some material because of the hardness or thickness of the material. These materials have to be manually cut. The indenter is then used to mark the material in the location where a cut is desired.

It is anticipated that one embodiment of the present invention will allow for the fin marking system 10 to be attached to the fin machine 14 via a bar 16 that fits in these same horizontal cutter holes that already exist on fin forming machines. In such an embodiment, the horizontal cutters and the fin marking device 10 cannot be used at the same time on the fin forming machine 14. However, this does not typically present a problem because the length of fin or number of fins per inch dictates the use of a cutter or the use of the fin marking system of the present invention.

The fin marking system 10 can be air actuated with air cylinders 18, operable with air switch 20, through air lines 22. Air supply 24 supplies air to air switch 20. A machine cycle counter 26 counts each complete cycle of the fin forming machine 16. The machine cycle counter communicates with the marking device 10 to indicate when the correct numbers of cycles have been met. The counter is preset to the number of cycles needed for the desired length or fin count, and when that value is met, the indenter is actuated and the counter is reset to zero. Hence, when the proper amount of material has met the desired length or fin count, the air switch 20 allows the air cylinders 18 to actuate and drive the indenter 28 into the fin material 12. The indenter immediately withdraws from the fin material 12, retracting to complete the marking process. The movement of the indenter does not interrupt the fin forming cycle, allowing the fin material 12 to continue feeding and the machine cycle counter 26 to continue counting. Nor does the indentation from the marker 28 damage or adversely affect the heat exchange properties of the formed fin 12.

In accordance with the present invention, the device 10 is installed in such a manner that the indenter 28 can be adjusted to mark the fin material anywhere across its flow direction and to account for the height of the fin material. In addition, the fin marking system of the present invention also has the capability of indenting multiple fins when multiple coils of fin material are running.

Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be apparent that other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. 

1. A device for marking fin material as it is formed on a fin forming machine, the device comprising: a means for counting a desired length or fin count of the fin material; an air actuated means connected to the means for counting; indentation means associated with the air actuated means whereby when the desired machine cycle count is reached, the air actuation means actuates the indentation means to mark the fin with an indentation at the desired length or fin count.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indentation means can be adjusted to mark the fin material anywhere across a flow direction of the fin material.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indentation means can be adjusted to account for varying heights of fin material.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the indentation means can indent multiple fins when multiple coils of fin material are being run of the fin forming machine.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the device is attached via a bar capable of fitting in already existing cutter holes on the fin forming machine.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for counting is preset to the desired machine cycle count.
 7. A method for marking fin material as it is formed on a fin forming machine, the method comprising the steps of: providing a means for counting a length or fin count of the fin material; connecting an air actuated means to the means for counting; associating an indentation means with the air actuated means whereby when the machine cycle count is reached, the air actuation means actuates the indentation means to mark the fin with an indentation at the desired length or fin count.
 8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the indentation means can be adjusted to mark the fin material anywhere across a flow direction of the fin material.
 9. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the indentation means can be adjusted to account for varying heights of fin material.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the indentation means can indent multiple fins when multiple coils of fin material are being run of the fin forming machine.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising the step of attaching the device via a bar capable of fitting in already existing cutter holes on the fin forming machine.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the means for counting is preset to the desired machine cycle count. 